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Change and development in Glen Eden 2017: report to Waitakere Ranges Local Board
No full textThis paper has been expanded from the report previously published by ePress on 13.11.2017 [https://hdl.handle.net/10652/3981]
This is a report on change and development issues facing Glen Eden. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board commissioned staff of the Social Practice Department of Unitec to carry out a two-stage report. The first stage was a literature search looking at material specific to Glen Eden as well as more theoretical information about development and growth. This second and final stage includes interviews carried out with key stakeholders in Glen Eden.
This report makes a number of suggestions to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board relating to the redevelopment of the Glen Eden town centre, design and urban policies concerning future intensification of Glen Eden, and greater emphasis on strategies to deal with such matters as safety, cycleways and pedestrian amenity.
In making recommendations about growth and change there is an everpresent challenge: to ensure that all citizens, young old, new or long-term, Māori, Pākehā and people of many cultural backgrounds, feel they are not ignored but are included in the cultural and political life of Glen Eden and its surrounding areas
Nomenclatural novelties: Gabura fascicularis var. colensoi and G. fascicularis var. microcarpa
No full textEvaluating efforts to promote diverse sexuality and gender inclusivity at a tertiary institution
No full textThis article presents findings from a mixed-method, utilisation-focused evaluation of an education workshop on diverse sexuality and gender (DSG) inclusivity offered at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. Workshop completion enables participants to make a public commitment to DSG inclusivity by joining Unitec’s ALLY Network. A questionnaire was designed to ascertain whether workshop participation achieves the following outcomes: increased awareness of systemic discrimination and greater confidence to act in ways that promote DSG inclusion. The study also draws on findings from semi-structured interviews with current ALLY members. Data analysis included testing the statistical significance of differences between participants’ responses to pre-workshop questions and their responses to identical questions posed post-workshop (these questions were answered using Likert-type scales). Narrative data were analysed thematically. Findings indicate that the ALLY workshop is effective in achieving its goals. Emergent themes highlight areas of significant learning and growth for workshop participants as well as particularly valuable workshop practices and conditions. This study addresses a gap in the literature on evaluations of DSG diversity education and provides evidence supporting the continuation – and the informed, potential expansion – of a unique initiative within a New Zealand tertiary provider.
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DSG identities include, but are not limited to transgender, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, gender fluid, agender, lesbian, gay, bisexual and asexual
An artisan village, Surat, India : safeguarding the art & craft heritage of India
No full textThis paper aims to strategise a comprehensive design, establishing a link between urban and rural sectors through preservation and revitalisation of the craft sector of India. The intent is to unite the various typologies of artisan crafts, scattered throughout the country, to build a community cherishing the Indian heritage: a place to practise, teach, demonstrate culture. With the aim of fostering this heritage community, the concept of crafts village has been selected as the cornerstone of this design. Thus, the sub-question: How to create an artist village, providing a platform for vocational training and retail, a mixed-use organic development, cherishing the Art and Craft heritage of India? Notwithstanding Industrialization, a large population of India still depend on long-established traditional methods of manufacturing using traditional techniques to earn a living based on handmade products. These craftspeople/artisans are the backbone of the non-farm rural economy of India. There is a crucial necessity for philanthropy to understand the potential to monetise the crafts sector by the financing of high impact scalable models that can sustainably strengthen livelihoods. By harnessing the potential of the craftsperson/artisan sector, the concept of artist village promotes forgotten values of art in the modern world and re-examines the role of architecture. An artisan village reinforces the upliftment of rural craftsmen/Artisans by providing them with a place to reside, practice and earn with their skills
Future courtyard 2050
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can the vernacular architectural typology of the courtyard be adapted in a way that makes a positive contribution to modern urban life in Beijing?
ABSTRACT:
Beijing has been the capital of China since the Yuan dynasty, over 850 years, and yet it is also a modern metropolis that is still growing rapidly and dynamically. However, the city is trying to expand without taking into consideration its existing context and urban fabric.
Lack of accessible land for development, the increase in population and real estate prices have led to the rise of mixed-use developments to solve the huge issues that are present in twenty-first century Beijing. The traditional courtyard compound housing design in architecture is not unfamiliar in Beijing; it has a history dating back to the beginning of the Yuan dynasty.
Courtyard architecture has been utilized within modernisation and renovations for residential purposes. It has also been employed in design solutions for modern business complexes and cultural projects.
How can the vernacular architectural typology of the courtyard be adapted in a way that makes a positive contribution to modern urban life in Beijing?
The focus of this project is not on individual forms shown in scattered courtyards. However, it is more about encouraging an exploration of the potential, and the opportunities that apply to the ancient typology of courtyard housing to developments can provide social and environmental benefits to the chosen context.
Therefore, this project will explore the process of typology analysis in the context of modern Beijing as the first principle for the production of courtyard urbanism.
Through the research of related pieces of literature and precedents, a defined methodology with a focus on analysis and integration will support the development of a series of mixed-use courtyard architecture that based on the current understanding of this traditional typology.
This project will accommodate the use of drawings and models as the methods that are bounded with the practice of architecture in the making of the proposed explorations. A portion of Beijing was selected as the site of this research project due to the project’s brevity
Air tightness, friend or foe?
No full textIndustry standard calculations recognise airtightness as a positive characteristic when houses are designed to consume low levels of energy for heating or for cooling. In addition, airtightness will insulate the internal environment from externally generated contaminants such as particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). However, it will also contribute to the containment of internally generated contaminants to lower the quality of the internal environment. The overall impact of airtightness on the internal environment in New Zealand houses is not widely known and warrants further investigation. Air temperatures, relative humidity levels, dew points, particulate matter and VOC levels were monitored in the bedrooms of two, co-located houses, identical in layout and construction apart from details affecting their airtightness. Both spaces had controlled occupancy simulation that produced heat, moisture and contaminants from identical furnishings and decorations. The airtightness was found to have little impact on the internal thermal conditions and energy consumption. As expected, the vapour check, airtight house kept moisture levels above those seen in the conventional building but only slightly. PM10 levels in the conventional house exceeded guidelines for 41% of the time compared to 17% in the airtight house over the seven day period. The airtight test house reached VOC concentrations more than 300% above those in the conventional control house. This challenges conventional thinking on the contribution of airtightness to internal environmental conditions and warrants consideration in the review of building regulations
Producing work-ready graduate for the construction industry
No full textWhile educating building professionals is an essential component of the construction education sector, producing work-ready graduates to meet the construction industry requires greater effort. The factors that influence graduate students’ successful transition into the competitive construction environment need to be further explored. This study investigates these factors through a literature review and interviews six experts in academia who have industry experience.
The findings of this study show that factors such as ‘team-working skills’ and ‘communication skills’ are the two top factors for producing work ready graduates for the construction industry. The findings can help academia to understand the important factors for producing work-ready graduates for the construction industr
A rural respite
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can architecture in the rural landscape support those affected by autism?
ABSTRACT:
This research investigation focuses on the design of a rural respite facility for autism and those affected by it. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects approximately 80,000 New Zealanders. It is a condition that impacts learning styles, communication, social interaction and behaviour. Autism is traditionally approached through personal aid and therapy often within dull, clinical environments. Current facilities tend to focus only on the patient while families and stakeholders are disregarded. This project, which looks to address this deficiency, explores the potential benefits of architecture in a natural and rural environment for those affected by autism. Effective architecture will provide an environment in which one feels safe, where the occupants can positively develop well-being amongst healthy surroundings. This is particularly important for those living with/and affected by autism. Over time there has been a growing awareness of the numbers of people with autism and New Zealand has one of the highest rates in the world. A lack of adequate facilities makes life difficult for families and individuals dealing with autism first-hand which can negatively influence these individuals well-being.
One of the ways that respites and small communities for autism can function effectively is through a strong connection to the landscape. Studies by Roger S. Ulrich, a Professor of Architecture at Chalmers University in Sweden illustrate that changes to healthcare settings, both through aesthetics and ecology, can improve health outcomes for patients. Ulrich explores the idea of salutogenic design, which suggests that good somatic, psychiatric and emotional health is sustained through the ability to adapt to life’s dynamic circumstances. This can be achieved through the influence of architecture and the ability it has to leverage the connection between occupants and the natural environment.
Biophilic design is a field of architectural practice well suited to leveraging and increasing access to organic elements. Through this field, nature and architecture have the potential to provide an environment which supports human well-being. This research investigation poses a series of questions about the relationship between architecture, the natural environment and autism: How has architecture treated its role in the field of Autism Respite? Why is the rural landscape important in terms of well-being? Furthermore, how can architecture in rural landscape help those affected by autism?
The notion of Prospect and Refuge provides an overarching means for organising and understanding the relationship between architecture and nature. Refuge is linked in harmony with respite as it evokes a sense of safety and protection from surrounding threats. This has a particular impact on autism as refuge has the ability to remove the stresses and confrontation associated with hypersensitivity and social integration. Salutogenic and biophilic design, along with existing theory on design for autism, has been examined and tested within the context of a natural environment as a means for addressing the lack of support for those affected by autism. Through the use of a range of precedent studies including Rousham by English architect William Kent (1685- 1748) and Respite Folly by Graeme Massie, site analysis and literature review the project explores architectural interventions which can better respond and support the range of needs associated with autism in New Zealand. It also investigates the potentials of a rural landscape and how the landscape can work with architecture to promote human well-being. Through drawing on the range of theoretical concepts identified, the project has resulted in a respite facility that is strongly connected to nature, is deeply informed by knowledge of the needs of those with autism and offers occupants of this facility both a sense of prospect and refuge.
SITE:400 Weranui Road, Wainui, Waiwer
The earliest collection of an elusive alien? Evidence of early introduction of Chenopodium ficifolium (Chenopodiaceae) in New Zealand
No full textHistorical records and the current status of Chenopodium ficifolium (Chenopodiaceae) in New Zealand are considered. This species of Eurasian origin was and still is occasionally reported in New Zealand as a casual alien since its supposedly first record by Kirk in 1896, who found the species in 1892 in the port of Wellington on a ballast heap. At least seven reliable collections / records are known from locations ranging from the North Island (Auckland and Wellington) to the South Island (Christchurch), and one of the southern Titi Islands. However, the actual distribution of the species in New Zealand is probably underestimated because of its similarity to C. album. Probably C. ficifolium was initially introduced to New Zealand much earlier than 1892, as evidenced by the herbarium specimen collected by J. Everard Home in the 1840s. That specimen was recently found in the Turczaninow historical herbarium at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW); it is one of many other historical specimens at KW that were collected in New Zealand by Home, A. Cunningham and R. Cunningham in the first half of the 19th century. Most probably, Turczaninow received these New Zealand specimens from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in exchange for his Siberian or other collections. We expect that a thorough revision of New Zealand specimens in the Turczaninow herbarium at KW may bring important and interesting results not only on native plants (including type specimens), but also for non-native species introduced during the early stages of the European colonization, which will document their earliest stages of expansion in New Zealand
The potential for treating asbestos & asbestiform minerals
Get PDFAsbestos & asbestiform minerals
Health Issues from asbestos
Waves of asbestos exposure
Asbestos case study – Cook Islands
Asbestos case study – Canberra, Australia
Potential asbestiform hazards
Exposure to asbestiform minerals
Erionite toxicity
Toxicity factors
Erionite – case studies
Asbestos contaminated soil – potential volumes
Asbestos disposal
Hazardous landfill composition
Degradation timeline
Inorganic substances
Inorganic mineral degradation
Lowering asbestos toxicity
Bioremediation communities
Can we bioremediate asbestos?
Landfill vs bioremediation
Potential bioengineered treatment process
Current & future research
Conclusions
References (1-4 slides